And just when Li Chengqian was arranging all the matters for Xue Yantuo.
Li Jing and others have also led the army to the Eastern Front battlefield.
When Li Jing and others arrived, Laizhou, Dengzhou, Penglai and other places had already fallen into enemy hands.
As far as you can see on the official road, you can see people fleeing for their lives.
Seeing this scene, Li Jing couldn't help but sigh: "A small Japanese country dares to come to my kingdom and cause trouble. It really deserves to be beaten and killed."
After hearing this, many generals on the side also showed anger.
Only Xue Li, the new military champion who accompanied the army on the expedition, said nothing and just looked at the refugees quietly.
Seeing this, Li Jing narrowed his eyes, and then slowly said: "Xue Li, what do you think of this war?"
"I……"
Xue Li pursed his lips and said: "Reporting to the coach, this is my first time on the battlefield. I have never seen much of the world, and I have no opinions."
Hearing this, Li Jing just nodded slightly.
But everyone can see that there is already some disdain in his eyes.
These old-school generals were more or less unhappy with Xue Li taking shortcuts, and Li Jing was no exception.
However, Li Jing didn't say much in words.
He just had some objections to Li Shimin bringing this new recruit to him.
After all, why would you give yourself a chance to use a general like this who has never even been on the battlefield?
Let him go directly into battle to kill the enemy...
If he makes a mistake, he may have to bear the responsibility.
If he is not allowed to go into battle to kill the enemy...
There is a chance that he will be criticized for being jealous of talented people.
So in the end, Li Jing simply stopped talking.
Next, Li Jingzhi led the team to continue heading east.
However, three days later, Li Jing's vanguard met the Japanese army head-on.
However, this Japanese army is not a large force, it is just a team that acts as a vanguard for exploring horses, with only two to three thousand people.
Li Jing did not hesitate and immediately sent 3,000 Youzhou Cavalry to advance eastward.
< br> After the two sides collided head-on, the Japanese army collapsed at the first touch, and was killed by Youzhou's cavalry.
Seeing this scene, Li Jingna immediately ordered the entire army to attack and drive the Japanese army out of the country in one go.
When the commander of the Youzhou Army marched in, the Japanese army's maneuvers had already begun.
The Japanese army's 20,000 reinforcements arrived in Laiju City soon.
The two sides also had a head-on confrontation under Laizhou City.
On the first day of fighting, the total number of casualties on both sides was close to 10,000, and this was just a tentative confrontation between the two sides.
What the Tang Dynasty did not expect was that the Japanese army's combat power was so amazing.
Wasn't it agreed that the Japanese army was frightened by Li Chengqian?
Wasn't it agreed that Li Chengqian would kill Japanese soldiers as easily as he killed chickens and dogs?
How could it be that when I got here, it felt like I had been kicked on an iron plate?
Is it possible that the Youzhou army under my own command is just as inferior as the Liangzhou army?
Li Jing was also a little depressed.
Xue Li on the side looked straight at Li Jing and said, "Commander, please forgive me for saying something you shouldn't have said."
"When we started, we did underestimate the enemy."
"These Japanese soldiers are not as easy to fight as we thought, let alone a ragtag group."
"Therefore, I suggest that the general should not continue the attack, rest on the spot, and wait for backup."
"King Rencheng should be here soon."
"As soon as our army arrives, it won't be too late for the general to command the army to attack the city..."
If someone else had said this, Li Jing might have listened.
But now it was Xue Li who said this, and Li Jingke was really unhappy.
He even felt a little bit dissatisfied.
What's going on?
Can't I, an old general, see the difference between the superiority and inferiority of our enemy?
Do you need your nonsense to point fingers in front of me?
A veteran like Li Jing also has his own pride.
At that moment, he said without even looking at Xue Li: "It's true that the enemy has hundreds of thousands of people."
"But this is the Tang Dynasty, and it is the territory of our Tang people."
"Fighting here, we Tang people have an innate advantage, so this battle must be fought."
"Even if the entire army dies, we will still take back the lost territory."
Hearing this, Xue Li was also surprised.
He hurriedly said: "General, you have already said that after all, the Japanese army has hundreds of thousands of people on their side, but we only have 50,000. It is really not appropriate to continue to attack the city."
"No need to say more, it makes perfect sense to me."
Li Jing waved his hand indiscriminately and said: "Xue Li, you also know that marching and fighting the logistics supply line is the top priority."
"I will give you five thousand troops and horses now."
"You must ensure the safety of the logistics supply line. If you make any mistakes, you will be severely punished!"
Obviously, Li Jing didn't just want to listen to Xue Li.
They even had to drive him away.
And what can Xue Li say?
When you are on an expedition, you must obey the general's orders in everything.
Upon hearing this, Xue Li could only sigh secretly.
Afterwards, Xue Li held his hands towards Li Jing and said: "General, I will obey the commander's orders."
"Go ahead."
Li Jing raised his head and said.
To be honest, Li Jing really doubted Xue Li's ability.
What can he do even if he has some force?
On the battlefield, you cannot win by relying on force alone.
After all, even a brave man like Li Chengqian still had to rely on the powerful fighting power of the Liangzhou Army in the end.
Of course, in addition to this, Li Jing also had another layer of worries.
The reason why Li Shimin asked Xue Li to come with him this time was because he wanted him to gain experience.
In his opinion, keeping newcomers like him A general in the army can only cause trouble for himself.
But it was difficult to violate Li Shimin's wishes.
Li Jing also thought for a long time before he decided to let him take care of logistics.
Anyway, Li Ji is keeping an eye on the logistics side.
As long as Li Daozong doesn't cause any problems, Xue Li will naturally not cause any trouble.
Moreover, the logistics aspect is entirely his own decision. Even if something is not done well or done wrong, it is still Xue Li's own problem and has nothing to do with Li Jing.
After Xue Li left, Li Jing also directly issued an order to attack the city the next day.
Although Li Jing did not listen to Xue Li's words, he also put away his contempt.
On the second day, the number of troops he sent to attack the city increased from more than 10,000 to 30,000.
In terms of numbers, they were also comparable to the Japanese troops defending the city.
And on this day, Li Jing even mobilized artillery and other new-age firearms to launch an artillery attack on Laizhou City.
In addition, before the confrontation, Li Jing personally went to command the siege.
The Japanese army also showed very strong resilience. No matter how many times the Youzhou army broke through the city defenses, they could fight back.
Li Jing was also angered.
Constantly directing the soldiers to charge forward and charge towards the city.
The top of the city has simply turned into a meat grinding ground, a Shura field that harvests the lives of soldiers from both sides.
After the battle, the number of casualties of soldiers on both sides soared to a very terrifying amount.
When the post-war statistical report was sent to Li Jing, even he was in a daze.
Before the war, who could have imagined that the Japanese army would have such fighting power?
In their impression, the Japanese army was just a group of vulnerable rabble.
After all, even Li Chengqian was able to keep them in check.
How could a veteran with such a long reputation suffer at their hands?
But this is the fact now. Even if they use firearms, they cannot break through the Japanese city defenses...